(914) 337-6770
info@mcgrathandson.com
20 Cedar Street, Bronxville, NY - 10708

Canning, Richard “Dick” June 29, 1928 - October 2, 2021

On Saturday October 2, 2021, Richard (Dick) Alphonsus Canning, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age of 93 in Queens, NY. Dick was the devoted husband for nearly 49 years of Eugenie (Jean) Loscalzo Canning, who preceded him in death on April 8. 2005. He is the son of Alphonsus and Regina Murphy Canning, both of New York City, NY.  He is survived by his sister Mary Jeanne Canning of Monroe Township, NJ, and eight sons and daughters and their spouses: Sheila Canning of Rockville Centre, NY, Paul Canning (Marie Lavendier) of Farmington, CT, Denise Winters (Ed) of Salt Lake City, UT, Eileen Schwagerl (Brian) of Rockville Centre, NY, Jerome Canning (Chris) of Mount Vernon, NY, Michael Canning (Laurie) of Glen Allen, VA, Daniel Canning (Debbie) of Greenwood Village, CO and Theresa Canning Zast (Jon) of Jackson Heights, NY. Dick was incredibly proud of his seventeen grandchildren: Christopher, Nicole, Elizabeth, Caitlin, Kyra, Christina, Annie, Mary, Ellie, Aideen, Katie, Isabel, Paige, Cianna, Sofía, Charlie and Vivian.

Dick was born on June 29, 1928 in Elmhurst, Queens, NY and proudly acquired a Jesuit education at Xavier High School (‘46) and Fordham University (‘50) where he earned a full academic scholarship. Shortly after graduating from Fordham in the summer of 1950 and the commencement of the Korean War, Dick was drafted into the United States Army, training as a medic with his ultimate duty station, Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, CO before receiving an Honorable Discharge in October 1952.

In August 1954 Dick was hired as a Hospital Sales Representative by E. R. Squibb & Sons, moving to Philadelphia to join the sales region there. In Philadelphia, Dick was introduced to Jean Loscalzo by a mutual friend.  They went on their first date to a basketball game at the Palestra between Villanova and St. Francis, quickly fell in love, and were married on May 12th, 1956. Dick and Jean settled into a small three bedroom home on Price Street in Narberth, PA, which filled quickly when Sheila, Paul, Denise and Eileen were born between 1958 and 1962.  Upon promotion to manager of the Newark, NJ sales division, Dick and Jean relocated their growing family to Somerset, NJ, where Jerry, Mike and Dan were born in quick succession. In the fall of 1970, Dick was promoted to a marketing position with Squibb and corporate worldwide headquarters were relocated from Manhattan to a new campus in Lawrenceville, NJ. This coincided with the growing family moving to a larger home on an acre of land in South Brunswick, NJ.  Here their youngest Theresa was born, rounding out the busy household with four boys and four girls.

Outside of work, Dick spent all his spare time with his children, instilling the simple ethics of dedication to family, faith and hard work.  Dick coached many basketball, baseball and softball teams, led many summer trips in a station wagon full of children across New England, upstate NY, the Midwest, North Carolina and the favorite destination of Dick and Jean, Cape May Point, NJ.  Here Dick, Jean and children attended numerous family retreats run by the Marianist order of Catholic priests, brothers and sisters at their large seaside home.  As Dick’s children grew into adulthood, married and started families of their own, he and Jean downsized from the busy house on Carter Brook Lane outside Kingston in 2003 to a comfortable duplex in Lawrenceville, NJ, where pictures on Dick’s refrigerator displayed his grandkids as their numbers grew and they experienced many successes in academics, athletics, and public service and he visited them around the country.  Dick could not express often enough or effusively enough how proud he was of each of his Grandchildren.

Throughout his life Dick had other passions beyond work and family.  Having been raised in very humble surroundings in the midst of The Great Depression, Dick never forgot those who had less financial means and struggled with poverty and hunger.  Putting his concerns into action, he supported the Martin House in Trenton, NJ and became a foster parent to Raul Cruz, who Dick and Jean first met at a foster residence in New York City and who went on to raise a family of his own.

Another passion was his Irish upbringing. His parents Al and Regina, were the children of Irish immigrants.  Dick grew up in a time when everyone was identified by their ethnicity and heritage, so Dick was known as one of the “Irish kids” on the streets of New York City.  This inspired in Dick a lifelong search to connect with his Irish roots culminating in a meeting with his two closest living Irish relatives, Kathleen Canning Donegan of Gortahose, County Leitrim, Ireland in 1999 and her sister Josephine Canning Farrell of Dublin and Kathleen’s four sons in Leitrim in 2014.

Throughout these years Dick cultivated yet another passion channeling his past basketball playing and coaching background when in 1990 he became a season ticket holder of Villanova University basketball.  For the next 26 years, Dick rarely missed a home game and when Jean could not attend with him he eagerly shared his second courtside ticket with his sons and daughters, grandkids and many, many friends.

In the final quarter of Dick’s life, he came full circle returning to Queens, NY, when he moved to the Atria Assisted Living Residence in Forest Hills.  Dick was a gregarious favorite in the dining room, on the Resident’s Council and during activities, including keeping his competitive streak alive in his latter years appearing in many spelling bee finals.

Dick has rejoined Jean in Heaven and spent his last few days peacefully surrounded by family and content in a life well-lived of service, passion and commitment.

A Celebration of Dick Canning’s life will be held with calling hours at the Fred H. McGrath & Son, Funeral Home, Bronxville between the hours of 6 to 9pm, Friday. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, Bronxville on Saturday October 9, 2021 at 9:45am.

Please join the Canning Children, Spouses and Grandchildren after Mass for a gathering of family and friends at:

JC Fogarty’s

60 Kraft Avenue

Bronxville, NY 10708

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Better Community Housing of Trenton, NJ
http://bchtrenton.org/

 

Calling Hours: 6 to 9 pm, Friday, October 8, 2021

Mass: 9:45 am, Saturday, October 9, 2021 at St. Joseph's Church, Bronxville

To Live Stream the Mass: Please Click Here

In Lieu of Flowers: Contributions may be made to Better Community Housing of Trenton, NJ
http://bchtrenton.org/

Condolences(11)

  1. REPLY
    Sr. Laura Leming, FMI says

    Such a wonderful life story to put an exclamation point on such a beautiful life. I ‘m pretty sure I met Dick and Jean when they were pregnant with Theresa – at least that’s my memory – at the Marianists at Cape May Point. They have always been a role model among the families – Jean and I sharing a connection of a beloved music teacher in the Philly Catholic schools. My prayers are with you as as you celebrate this wonderful man!

  2. REPLY
    Kay & Harry O'Brien says

    We have been blessed to have to have known Dick and Jean for more than 50 years. Years that we count as blessings. The Lord has touched many people through them. We know that Dick’s family will continue to spread the good that he inspired.

  3. REPLY
    Fr. Dave Mcguigan, S.M. says

    This morning, we were privileged to remember Dick and pray for his eternal joy at our staff Mass, here, at the Marianist Family Retreat Center in Cape May Point. Dick and Jean are two special and dear spiritual pillars, among many, on which our ministry rests, firmly. May the Lord and our Blessed Mother comfort you at this sensitive time. A simple lesson we associate with Dick: The gifts of life and love are for sharing.

  4. REPLY
    Gary Lewis says

    I only met Mr. Canning a few times as I am a Connecticut friend of his son, Paul. These times were at their family gatherings and I was always impressed with their camaraderie and energy. I credit much of that to the care and love of Mr. and Mrs. Canning. He had much to be proud of there and with the fine man Paul is in his professional and personal life. I am pleased to call him a friend and extend my condolences to all the Cannings on the loss of their Pater Familias.

  5. REPLY
    Gary Lewis says

    I only met Mr. Canning a few times as I am a Connecticut friend of his son, Paul. These occasions were family gatherings they held and I was always impressed with their camaraderie and energy. Some of that must have been due to Mr. and Mrs. Canning. He had much to be proud of there and with the fine man Paul is in his professional and personal life. I am pleased to call him a friend and extend my condolences to all the Cannings on the loss of their Pater Familias

  6. REPLY
    Patsy Donegan says

    So sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of Dick Canning
    Have some great memories of meeting Dick in Co Leitrim in 2014 and discussing the different paths in life taken by my mother Kathleen’s cousins
    Condolences to all the Canning family .
    May Dick rest in peace.

  7. REPLY
    Brendan and Kathy Donegan says

    We met Dick in 2014 when he came to Ireland along with his son Mike, to search out his roots. It was great to meet up. Dick was one of those Genuine People you don’t meet very often. May he Rest in Peace, until we meet again. Our Deepest Condolence’s to all the Canning Family, your Irish cousins, Brendan and Kathy Donegan Greagh Ballinamore Co. Leitrim Ireland

  8. REPLY
    Rita and Dave Burgess says

    I hope all the words of condolence and the many happy memories of a life well-lived soothe the pain of losing your father and grandfather. His legacy lives on through all of you, and I know both Dick and Jean are watching you all with pride and love.

  9. REPLY
    Ann Jacobs says

    Both my husband, and I ( and Jen) send our sympathy to the family of Mr. Canning. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

  10. REPLY
    Tom Gould & Family says

    Deepest condolences to Mr. Canning’s wonderful, large family and many friends. Hopefully, you can comfort each other as you find your way through such a difficult time. You will all be in our prayers.

  11. REPLY
    Sean and Irene Donegan says

    We wish to offer our condolences to all the Canning family on the sad passing of Dick. We have great memories of Dick and Mike visiting Leitrim in 2014. Dick was so happy to stand on and walk the ground of his ancestors. It’s a wonderful memory for all of us and of course we will remember our drinks in the bar that evening. I know the visit meant a lot to Dick and the memory will certainly stay with us.may Dick rest in peace

Leave a Condolence to Kay & Harry O'Brien Cancel reply